Spherical amusement-vehicle.



No. 815,210. 4 f PATBNTBD MAR.13,1906,

- H. H. PATTEE.

SPHERIGAL AMUSEMENT VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED APR 11, 1905. 1

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Nq.'815,210. PATENTED MAR. 13,1906;

H. H. PATTBB. 4 v SPHBRIGAL AMUSEMENT VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED APR '11, 1906.

2 Sunni- 541mm a.

NITED STATES P TENT oFFIoE;

HERBERT H. PATTEE, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

Specification of Letters Patent.

SPHERICAL AMUSEMENT-VEHIGLE;

Patented lvfarch 13, 190d;

Application filed April ii, 190%. $eria1No, 254,961.

ITO a/ZZ whom it may concern.-

ventedcertain new and useful Improvements in SphericalAmusement-Vehicles, of'which the following is a specification.

My present invention has reference to certain novel and usefulimprovements in spherical whirling devices for use as amusement ureparks and at seaside resorts, exhibitions, fairs, and the like, theobject of the invention being to provide a revolving ball .or

sphere carrying passengers therein and-roll- 'ing both by gravity andthe aid of mechanical means, as hereinafter described, so as to providea sensational and startling'but at the same time perfectly safeentertainment for those enjoying it.

The invention, therefore, consists, essentially, inthe construction andcombination of parts, and in numerous details and peculiarities thereof,substantially as will be hereinafter described and then more fullypointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is aside elevation of my improvedamusement apparatus. Fig. 2 is a topplanview of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of thecar-supporting shaft and one of the-.bearing's'of the latter in the wallof the ball. .Fig. 4 is an enlarged bowl or car supported on the axis.Fig. 5 is a sectionalplan view of the entireapparatus, indicating thearrangement of tracks and the chambers or compartments, from one to theother of which the ballis transferred during the operation of theapparatus.

. Like numerals of reference denote like parts throughout the differentfigures of the drawings.

In many respects the ball or sphere employed as apart of my resentamusement device is similar to that s own and described in myformerLetters Patent on ball-coaster,

merous features of value for the accomplishment of novel operations andtheproduction of ingenious and sensational movements. The precisestructure of the'ballEmay vary within wide limits ,[but the exampleshown in thedrawings at 1 is a very convenientand preferableconstruction and consists, essentially, of a skeleton or .foraminousshell through the interstices or openings in which persons riding withinmay readily gaze upon their surroundings. longitudinal ribs andlatitudinal connections,

The shell consists of there being openings between the latitudinal andlongitudinal ribs to furnish an openwork construction, like alattice-frame built I .in the shape, of a sphere. apparatus adapted tobe employed in pleas' Inside of the ball 1 is a car 2 for carryingpassengers, said car being preferably of a semispherical form (see Fig.4) and the conytourof the car conforming substantially to 'the'generalinner shape of the ball 1. exact size and shape of the'bowl-car2 may vary within wide limits, and I do not wish to ;be restricted toWhat I have shown in the The drawings.

3 denotes the axis of the ball 1 running 1 centrally through the sameand used to sup- {port the car 2.

Vidcd with suitable ball-bearings 19 19 (see 1 Figs. 3 and 4:) for theshaft 3. I upon shaft 3 inside the ball 1 by meansof the end hangers 37.andone or more intermediate hangers 38, if such intermediate hangersZshould be found necessary. The end hangers 37, as also theintermediates, if preferred, 1 ar'eprovided with ball-bearings, asshownat 3,9 in Fig. 3, so as to diminish the friction on the shaft 3.Car 2 may be weighted, if dey E sired, in order to assist in keeping itlevel.

cross-sectional view of theball, showing the The wall of theball 1 ispro- O ar 2 is hung A car, like 2, hung as I have described will alwaysremain level no matter how the exteri nal shell of the ball 1 mayrotate, provided it ;rotates in such a way as to keep the axis 3 1horizontal. 1 bowl or car 2 is always relatively stationary 5 2 to theball and always maintains a horizontal 5 and levelposition however muchthe ball may revolve and rotate about'it, and thus the passengers withinthe 'car 2 are never in danger of falling therefrom, for there is no I00%possibility that car 2 should be overturned, Lso that'by supporting thecarin themanner 21 have described all danger of spilling the datedOctober 4, 1904, No. 771,322, though the present invention adds to saidball nu- Hence it maybe said that the passengers and injuring them'isavoided.

The ends of the axis 3 which and on t e outer ends disks 18,,which areproject through the wall of the ball 1 outside the ball-bearingslt), areformed with trunnions i 17 having nextto the shell 1 rigid collars 10parallelto the collars 40, so that in this way 1,10

the trunnions 17 are grooved and adapted to wheel 8. The sprocket wheel8 is carried engage the rails 16 0 an elevated stationary by shaft 9,supported in bearings 10 10, and

track on which the trunnions revolve at times and at other times remainstationary, while the ball 1 is being revolved on its axis, as will bepresently explained.

Surrounding the external face of the shell 1 at points equidistant froma central plane are two grooved circular rims 4, designed to engage androll upon a track, as the track 5, shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These groovedrims 4 when in engagement with the track cause the shaft or axis 3 tomaintain a horizontal position, and hence the bowl 2, carrying thepassengers, is not dislocated from its proper position of horizontality,which insures safety as an accompaniment to the pleasures entailed bythe operation of the apparatus.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the ball 1 rests upon atrack composed of parallel rails 5 5, the grooved rims 4 of the ballbein in engagement with the rails of the track. bviously, the ball caneasily roll along on said track when propelled by any agency. One end ofthe track is pivoted or hinged at 24. The other end is provided with alifting device, as 23, whereby said end may be lifted higher than thepivoted end so as to cause the ball 1 to roll down the track toward thepivoted end by gravity. This device 23 may have a wide variety of forms,but one form which is to be preferred consists of a cylinder containinga piston operated by hydraulic pressure, which lifts the end of thetrack 50. A set of levers can be substituted therefor, if desired. Theliftable end of the track is preferably provided with a stop 21,consisting of a curved riser, which will stop the motion of the ball onits return after it has been caused to roll back onto the track again bysome returning agency. The track 5 may have any desired length; but inthe contemplated operation of the ball as I am now describing it thelength will be a moderate one, of only a few yards. Coinciding with theend of the track 5 is another track, consisting of parallel rails 15 15,said track being hinged or pivoted at 41 contiguous to the pivotal point24. The other end of the track 15 is liftable by a device similar tothat shown at 23, said device consisting, if desired, of a cylinder 26,containing a piston operating a rod 27, bearing against the under sideof this end of the track and adapted to lift it from its horizontalposition into an inclined one, where the ball can be influenced bygravity to roll back down the track 15 to the track 5, said track 15being at times in a horizontal position and at other times in theinclined position indicated in Fig. 1. Between the rails 15 is anendless chain 7, passing around a sprocket-wheel 8, near one end of thetrack, and a sprocket-wheel 11 near the other end, said sprocket-wheel11 being preferably somewhat larger than the sprocketthe sprocket-wheel11 is carried by shaft 12, supported in the bearings 13, the end of theshaft 12 being provided with a pulley 14, adapted to be belted to anysuitable driving power. The smaller size of the sprocketwheel 8 causesthe chain 7 at the point where it passes around said wheel to besomewhat lower than at the 'place where it passes around the wheel 11,so that the ball is not engaged until after it has rolled a shortdistance over the chain. Surrounding the ball 1, and firmly securedthereto and made a part thereof on a vertical equatorial line is acircular rack, series of teeth or sprocket-wheel 6, adapted to mesh withthe links of the chain 7, so that when the chain 7 is in engagement withthe teeth 6 the ball 1 will be rotated in consequence. Therefore,assuming the track 15 to be horizontal, when the ball rolls thereontoand its teeth 6 catch the links of chain 7 the effect will be to rotatethe ball, and such rotation will cause the ball to travel forward solong as the grooved rims 4 are in frictional contact with the rails 15;but when this contact ceases and the ball is supported by the trunnions17 on the elevated rails 16 the action of the chain on the teeth 6 willbe to rotate the ball at a high rate of speed proportionate to theoperation of the motor driving the chain.

11 the operation of the apparatus if the liftable end of track 5 beelevated sufliciently to cause the ball to gravitate along said track itwill reach and roll onto the track 15, the latter then being horizontal,and when the grooved wheels 4 engage track 15 the grooved trunnions 17will engage the elevated rails 16. The teeth 6 will engage the chain 7as soon as the ball revolves the teeth to a point where the chain lieshigh enough to cause such engagement. The rails 15 are provided at acertain point with concave cuts 15, and when the ball comes oppositesaid cuts the grooved wheels 4will leave the tracks 15 for the timebeing, thereby throwing the entire weight of the ball and its contentsupon the trunnions 17 which are in contact with the rails 16.Furthermore, it will be noted that rails 16 are provided with recesses25, shallow in depth and intended merely to cause the trunnions 17 andthe ball to come to a stop after or about the time the ball leaves therails 15 and temporarily prevent the ball from rolling on beyond theconcavities 15 and coming again into contact with the rails 15. Whilenow the ball is suspended by the trunnions, the chain, being inengagement with the teeth 6, will rotate the ball upon its axis 3, thespeed of rotation being regulated according to the action of the motordriving the chain. It will be understood that up to the point where thegrooved wheels 4 meet the concavities 15 the ball ram will have beenrolling forward, and the occupants of the bowl 2 will have beenappreciating the sensation of forward motion; but when the axis 3 comesto a stop on the rails 16 the ball 1 will pursue the same forwardrevolving motion, but this time on its 'axis and not movingrectilineally, though the sensation produced upon the passengers will beexactly the same during this axial revolution as during the forwardrectilineal motion, the effect thus being illusory and the passengersseeming all the while to be riding forward ina rapidly revolving orrotating ball. When the revolution of the ball has continued as long asmay be desired, the chain-driving motor will be stopped, the mechanismfor lifting the end of the rails 15 brought into play, and the railslifted, which will cause the ball to gravitate back down the said railsand again onto the track 5 up against the stop 21- and made to occupythe position shown in Fig. 1, where it is ready to receive otherpassengers. It may be remarked here that passengers will easily findingress to the bowl-car-through the opening 28 in the side of thespherel, which opening is closed by the removabledoor 29. I

In Fig. 5 I have indicated how the ball and the other parts ofmyamusement apparatus may be practically arranged in connection with aninclosing structure for show purposes and for practical use withpassengers.

- designates a compartment into which the assengers first enter throughthe door 50.

n thiscompartment 30 is the track, consisting of rails 5, on whichstands theball 1, having the grooved rims 4 engaging rails 5. On theside of the compartment'opposite the entrance-door 50 is a pair of lightswinging doors 31. These doors lead to an intermediate compartment 32,which has on its opposite side a pair of similar swinging doors 33,which leadto-anothercompartment 34. In the compartment 32 is a sectionof track consisting of rails 35 35 in line with the rails 5, and. in thecompartment 34 a section of track consisting of rails 15 in line withrails 35, and thiscompartment also contains the elevated rails 16 forthe ball-trunnions and,

the drive-chain 7 for rota-ting the ball. When the end of'the track 5nearest the door 50 has been elevated, the car having previously beenloaded with passengers, the ball will gravitate on the track 5 andstriking against the doors 31 will open the same, causing the ball toenter the compartment 32, through which it will be passed and willstrike against the doors 33, opening them, and then enter thecompartment 34. The doors 31 will close before the doors 33 have beenopened sufiiciently to prevent passengers or bystanders'in thecompartment 30 from seeing What is going on in the dark compartment 34.The object of the double-door arrangement is to so prevent an observanceof the interior of'compartment 34. As soon as the ball reaches the rails15 and the ball-trunnions,

return to the chamber 30, passing the yielding doors 33 and 31 in areverse manner to that in Which it previously passed through them.

A wire-netting will usually be employed on bowl or car,so as to preventpassengers from putting their arms or heads into such a position as tobe injured.

Very many changes in the precise construction and combination andarrangement of parts may be made without departing from the invention,and I reserve the liberty of making such changes. a

It must be noted particularly that the ball revolves fora certain:distance in a forward directionand that then it is received into a darkchamber, as 34, where the forward motion is stopped and the ball issupported on its axis and caused to be rotated rapidly on said'axis. Asthis axial rotation is erformed in a dark chamber it is possible toeceive the occupants of the car into the belief that: the forward motionof the ball, which it had outside in the light, is still continuing.Thus the whole apparatus may be located and operated in a relativelysmall area of ground and yet apparently the passengers will be given along ride. While the ball is moving in the open familiar objects are ofcourse seen through the foraminous wall; but as soon as it enters thedark compartment these objects disappear from view; but as the samerevolving motion of the shell continues the passengers do not noticethat the forward motion of the axis or shaft has stopped and that theshell instead or rolling on its grooved rims is now rotating about saidaxis. This is a novel an ingenious result, which I achieve by myimproved construction, and will .be

found of great importance in an apparatus of this kind. v 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Let ters Patent, is

1. A pleasure device, consisting of a ball carrying passengers, meansfor permitting the .ball to gravitate for a certaindistance,

and meansfor revolving the ball on its axis.

I 2. An amusement apparatus comprising a the side of the ball to coverthe top of the rolling ball carrying passengers, a track for the ball,and means for rotating the ball on its axis after it leaves the track.

3. An amusement apparatus comprising a rolling ball having a foraminouswall, in combination with internal means for carryingpassengers, an axisfor the ball on which the internal means is supported, and means forpermitting the ball to gravitate without disturbing the horizontalposition of the axis.

' 4. An amusement apparatus comprising a spherical rolling device havinga foraminous wall, an axis, a car hung on the axis for earryingpassengers, means for permitting the ball to roll while the axis remainshorizontal, and means for rotating the ball on its axis.

5. An amusement apparatus comprising a spherical rolling device having aforaminous wall, a horizontal shaft in said device, a passenger-carryingcar supported from the shaft, a track on which the ball rolls with itsshaft in a horizontal position, and means consisting essentially of achain engaging teeth on the ball for rotating the latter after it leavesthe track.

6. An amusement apparatus comprising a ball carrying passengers, saidball pursuing a forward rolling motion at times and at other timeshaving a revolution on its axis.

7. An amusement apparatus comprising a rolling ball, and a relativelystationary car within the ball, said ball rolling at times along a pathand at other times being revolved on its own axis.

8. In an amusement apparatus, the combination with a track, of a rollingball having a foraminous wall, and carrying passengers and provided withencircling rims that engage the track.

9. In an amusement apparatus, the combination with a track, of a rollingball having a horizontal axis, a passenger-carrying car Within the ballsupported from said axis, and circular grooved pieces on the ball forengaging the track so that the axis of the ball may be kept horizontal.

10. The combination with a track, of a rolling ball having a horizontalaxis, a relatively stationary car within the ball supported from theaxis, and-means for tilting one end of the track.

11. The combination with a hollow ball carrying passengers, the walls ofwhich are constructed to permit passengers to see without, of means forrevolving said ball on its axis.

12. An amusement apparatus comprising zontal axis, of a relativelystationary car within the ball supported from the axis, a circular rackon the ball and a chain engaging said rack, and means for supporting theaxis of the ball so that it may revolve on its axis.

14. An amusement apparatus comprising a rolling ball carryingpassengers, a track for the ball, a horizontal shaft running through theball and having trunnions on the end, means for supporting saidtrunnions at times, and means for revolving the ball when so supportedconsisting essentially of a circular series of teeth on the ball, andactuating means engaging the teeth.

15. The combination with a rolling ball having an axis, of a car withinthe ball for carrying passengers which car is hung on the axis to remainlevel while the ball rolls, a track engaged by grooves in the ball topermit the ball to roll forward at times, rails supporting the ends ofthe axis at other times, and means for rotating the ball on its axiswhen so supported. 7

16. In an amusement apparatus, the combination with a dark chamber, of atrack leading thereinto, a ball carrying passengers and rolling on saidtrack, said ball having an axis, means within the chamber for supportingthe axis of the ball after it leaves the track, and means for rotatingthe ball on its axis so that the hall may appear to have a forwardrevolving motion both while rolling on the track and while rotating onits axis.

17. In an amusement apparatus, the combination with a spherical rollingdevice having a foraminous wall, of a horizontal axle the projectingends of which serve as trunnions, a car hung on the axle forcarryingpassengers, a track engaged by encircling grooves on the rolling device,means for lifting the track so that the ball may gravitate thereon, anda second track for supporting the trunnions, and means for revolving thedevice on its axle when so supported.

18. In an amusement apparatus, a rolling ball carrying passengers, thewalls of which are constructed to permit the passengers to see without,a track engageable by parallel encircling grooves on the ballequidistant from the center, a second track to which the ball passesfrom the first, an elevated track along said second track for supportingthe axis of the ball when the grooves leave the second track, a circularrack on the ball, and endless chain engaging said rack so as to revolvethe ball when supported by its trunnions.

19. In an amusement apparatus, the combination with a track, of arolling ball, a relatively stationary car within the ball, and exteriorflanges on the ball engaging the track.

20. In an amusement apparatus, the combination with a track or way, of aball having encircling rims engaging the track or way, said ball beingconstructed to permitpassengers to see without, and arelativelystationary car within the ball, said car being hung on the axis of theball. p

21. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of an outer chamber, aninner chamber, an intermediate chamber, swinging doors between the outerchamber and the intermediate chamber, and swinging doors between theintermediate chamber and the inner chamber, a trackrunning through theseveral chambers, a ball carrying passengers and rolling onsaid.track,,said ball having an axis, means within the inner chamber forsupporting the ball after it leaves the track, and means for rotatingthe ball while off the track so'that it ma appear to have the sameforward motion as w en rolling on the track.

22. In an amusement apparatus, the com bination with an inner chamber,of a track leading thereinto, doors to said chamber, a ball carryingpassengers and rolling on said track and opening the doors b contacttherewith automatically, said ball aving an axis, means within thechamber for supporting the axis of the ball after it leaves the track,and

' means for revolving the ball when so supportedso that it will appearto have the same forward motion as when rolling on the track.

23. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of an outer chamberhaving hinged doors, an inner chamber having hinged doors,

a chamber intermediate between the two aforesaid chambers, a trackleading through the'chambers, a ba 1 carrying passengers and rolling onsaid track and automatically opening the doors by contact therewith,saidball having encircling rims that engage the track, and means forlifting the ball from the track in the inner chamber and rotating itwhen so lifted.

24. The combination with a hollow ball carrying passengers and having aforaminous wall, of means for revolving said ball on its axis, andencircling rims on the ball which engage a track or way.

25. The combination with a hollowball carrying passengers, the walls ofwhich are constructed to permit passengers to see without, a track,means for lifting the ball ofi the :track, and means for rolling theball on the track and likewise for revolving it when off the track.

26. The combination with a foraminous ball, of a relatively stationarycar within the same carryingpassengers, and means for rotatmg the ballabout its axis.

Signed at New York this 8th day of April,

' HERBERT H. 'PATTEE. Witnesses:

JOHN HJHAZELTON, I. HEIBERG.

